The Maroon Machine marches on as they beat Grey High School at the Kolisi Field in Gqeberha, 21 points to 7 in a thrilling Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools derby on Saturday the 27th of April.
Paul Roos’ unbeaten season continues, as they build on their perfect record. Grey High had a handful of moments to express themselves, but their lack of a clinical edge showed. A dominant Paul Roos forward pack ensured their half back pairing of Boraine and Dampies could manage the games tempo.
An opening stanza which saw Grey High start with great intent was short lived as the Maroon Machine’s defense rose to the challenge set out by the hosts. On the 15 minute mark the deadlock was broken by the visitors, great interplay amongst the forwards put flanker Gert Kemp under the poles. Flyhalf Joshua Dampies added the extras. Paul Roos 7 – Grey High 0.
Paul Roos’ choice of route one ball with their forward pack brought them as much success in open play as it did in the set piece. Burly loosehead prop and Man of the Match, Oliver Reid crossed the white line for the visitors, their second try of the afternoon coming in the 27th minute. Dampies knocked over the conversion. Paul Roos with an early lead 14-0.
The balance of the half remained as is, with neither team making use of the opportunities on offer. The visitors showing more of a clinical edge. Grey High were by no means out of this fixture.
Half time – Grey High 0 – 14 Paul Roos.
The second half began much like the first with Grey High coming out of the blocks the better of the two teams, this time with points to show for it. An energized forward pack, marshaled well by scrumhalf, Liyema Ndlondlo, finally began to make meters on attack.
The home crowd had something to cheer about in the 53rd minute when lock, Likona Sondlaka, crashed over for his sides only try of the afternoon. Flyhalf, Zephyr Smith’s, well measured kick despite the windy conditions added the extra two points. Grey High within touching distance for the first time. Paul Roos 14 Grey High 7.
Momentum firmly with them and the wind in their sails, Grey High launched a barrage of attacks on the defensive line of Paul Roos. No attempts managed to break through, with the visitors weathering the storm.
Against the run of play Paul Roos managed to conjure a moment of magic out of very little possession as left winger, Keenan Stoffels, dived over in the corner. Dampies’ good day with the boot continued as he slotted the touchline conversion to put the final nail in the coffin of Grey High.
It was a valiant second half comeback attempt by Grey High, but the Maroon Machine held on strong until the end.
Sportsmans Warehouse Man of the Match: Paul Roos Loosehead Prop – Oliver Reid
Scorers:
For Grey High:
Tries: Likona Sondlaka
Cons: Zephyr Smith 1/1
For Paul Roos:
Tries: Gert Kemp, Oliver Reid, Keenan Stoffels
Cons: Joshua Dampies 3/3
Teams:
Grey High: 15 Meyer Prinsloo, 14 Zubenathi Skosana, 13 Rick Byszois 12 Lavela Pongolo, 11 Luc De Villers, 10 Zephyr Smith, 9 Liyema Ndlondlo, 8 Tanner Howard, 7 Blayton Ward, 6 Caylum Jansen, 5 Likona Sondlaka, 4 Steven Lee, 3 CJ Naude, 2 Jon Hobson, 1 Akhanan Zitai
Paul Roos: 15 Matthew Seymoore, 14 Hugo Coetzee, 13 Matthew Kleyn, 12 Ian Smith, 11 Keenan Stoffels, 10 Joshua Dampies, 9 Adeeb Boraine, 8 Reuben Kruger, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Gert Kemp, 5 Jesse Stegenhuis, 4 Carl Holwill, 3 Gerrit Van Vuuren, 2 Altus Rabie, 1 Oliver Reid
ENDS
MEDIA RESOURCE:
Issued by Terras Communications on behalf of the Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools.
Lauren Terras
+27 (0)82 785 2644
TOURNAMENT RESOURCE:
Robert Blair
Chief Operating Officer: Premier Interschools Pty Ltd.
T+27 (0)79 588 3703
robbie@premierinterschools.co.za
About The Tournament:
Premier Interschools is a series of 12 rugby & netball matches, which feature the highest profile and most traditional interschool rivalries from South Africa’s top rugby & netball schools, which are broadcast live on SuperSport from April to August.
School sport has served as one of the cornerstones of the South African sporting landscape dating back more than a century, and true to its slogan “Honouring Heritage. Playing for the Future”, Premier Interschools is about history, heritage and tradition. The series, now in its eleventh year, is expected to grow even stronger.
Follow Interschools on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Premierinterschools
Twitter: @PremierSchools
Instagram: PremierInterschools
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqduHOxR2odBM7O-uyBGSg
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